We, the FANS Committee are very put-out that the Forest of Dean District Council has stol­en our slogan line, without actually appearing to understand what it means to the people of West Dean.

In reply to an enquiry by a local resident, council officer Andy Barge wrote: "The Leader of the council, Patrick Moly­neux, has recently articulated the council's position, looking at the opportunities for the District as a whole.

"An overriding priority is to make sure that regeneration of one part of our community is not to the detriment of the other."

Has he come round to our way of thinking? Or does he mean the council's priority is to to also cover our Five Acres with concrete, as is their ambition for Forest land at Steam Mills?

This is totally opposite to what our slogan means.

What next "Hands Off Our Forest?"

– John Belcher, Press officer, FANS.